Pay bus, metro fares with smartphones

Matar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that through Gitex 2012 platform, the RTA will launch a galaxy of innovative e-services highlighted by payment of fare of public transport means (metro, public buses and the water bus) with smart phones using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

This contact-less technology, where the mobile phone is passed over sensors mounted on the access gates of mass transit means, is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

“The new service enables public transport users to pay their fares through the e-payment portal, top up their Nol accounts electronically, and enquire about their balances through the phone. The RTA has coordinated with the telecommunication providers (Etisalat and Du) on the activation of the trial run of the service in order to assess the performance of the service before its official launch by mid 2013.

“In its Gitex Stand, the RTA will also exhibit the Automatic Vehicle Monitoring (AVM) system which enables bus supervisors at the Control Centre to keep real-time track of buses 24 hours a day, monitor the operational efficiency and performance of public buses, and control bus movement charts by way of sophisticated satellite-linked navigation systems. The system plays a crucial role in transforming the scheduled bus trips into realistic timetables that meet the needs of bus commuters; which is achieved through the integrated operational roles of all departments affiliated to Public Transport Agency in delivering safe and smooth services to bus users,” explained Al Tayer.

“Through its participation in Gitex, the RTA will unveil the new shape of its services application (RTA Dubai), which is compatible with smartphones such as iPad, Google Android and Google Tablet. RTA customers using the Madinati system will be able to transmit their reports on the system and attach photographic images or video clip, and the geographic coordinates of the site without having to contact the Call Centre (8009090), along with the site of the fault to be reported. This new service will help save time and effort. — news@khaleejtimes.com